Get to know 2023 Texas commit S'Maje Burrell
Whether you’re a diehard recruiting fan in need of a refresher or a casual fan in need of only the particulars, this will be the series for you.
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The first national signing period for college football runs from December 21-23. That puts it a week later than normal, which allows you even more time to familiarize yourself with the next class charged with helping restore Texas back to national prominence.
The preceding 2022 class is already off to a good start, but the way to win at a consistently high level is to stack talented class after talented class. At all times you need young players developing, creating competition, and providing valuable depth before becoming quality starters.
The top 5 contending 2023 class is just what Texas needed after the top 5 2022 class.
In the lead-up to NSD1, Inside Texas will offer profiles of each member of the 2023 signing class.
Next up, S’Maje Burrell.
The Player: S’Maje Burrell, LB, North Crowley (Texas), 6-foot-0, 217 pounds
The Rating: 90.50, On3 Consensus four-star
The Ranking:
The Recruitment: After Burrell dropped his top 11 list early in March, he began to trend toward Texas. He committed to the Longhorns soon after on April 2nd, and helped provide positive momentum for the Longhorns heading into the summer. He recruited many of the current commits in Texas’ class like Derion Gullette, Malik Muhammad, and Connor Stroh.
The Projection: Good height and frame for off-ball LB. Can add weight. Thick through the shoulders and tapers through the core. Good lower body flexibility. Good lower body explosiveness with good functional strength. Shows impressive acceleration once he diagnoses the play. Good change of direction. Straight line speed is at above average. Once he diagnoses the play, he’s closing fast. Few false steps. Active hands and strong upper body/shoulders. Consistently will keep his outside shoulder free and it’s rare to see an offensive lineman control him. Stays square to the line and has good gap discipline. Plays consistently under balance. Great lateral range. Active in zone defense and some man-to-man on film. Tracks the ball well. Soft hands. Some kick block and goal line blocking film. Good GPA. Body language on film is good. Available interviews show a thoughtful kid who seems to have some good leadership potential. – Excerpt from the Recruiting Notebook
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The Reasoning: “Every time I come down (to Austin), it’s fun. Everybody interacts with me. I interact with them. The coaching staff interacts with you, and everybody just enjoys it.” – S’Maje Burrell to Inside Texas in August
The Relationship: Burrell’s best relationships are with linebackers coach Jeff Choate, director of high school relations Chris Gilbert, and fellow commit Derion Gullette.
The Final Word: One of the best athletes in UT’s Class of 2023, Burrell is a program guy and a great fit on and off the field. He was the first linebacker to join what became one of the nation’s top hauls in a single position group along with Gullette, Anthony Hill Jr, and Liona Lefau.
Series:
Connor Stroh, OL, Frisco (Texas) Wakeland
Johntay Cook, WR, Desoto (Texas)
Will Randle, TE, New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman
Trevor Goosby, OL, Melissa (Texas)
Derion Gullette, EDGE/LB, Teague (Texas)
Spencer Shannon, TE, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
Andre Cojoe, OL, Mansfield (Texas) Timberview
Billy Walton, EDGE, Dallas (Texas) South Oak Cliff
Cedric Baxter, RB, Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater
Jaydon Chatman, OL, Killeen (Texas) Harker Heights
Malik Muhammad, CB, Dallas (Texas) South Oak Cliff
Sydir Mitchell, DL, Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic
Payton Kirkland, OL, Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips
Ryan Niblett, WR, Aldine (Texas) Eisenhower
Tre Wisner, RB, DeSoto (Texas)
Colton Vasek, EDGE, Austin (Texas) Westlake
